Allan was part of a transfer triangle that saw Scott Bain join Celtic and Simon Murray move from Hibs to the Dark Blues on loan.

Neil said: “After the game against Inverness [2-2 draw at Dens], I learned Scott Allan wanted to go to Hibs.

“I said to him he wouldn’t unless I got somebody I wanted, I wanted Simon Murray and I’m absolutely over the moon to get Simon.

“I’m disappointed to lose a player like Scott but if a player doesn’t want to be here, I don’t want him here.

“There’s no point in a player being unhappy because I don’t think you get the best out of him and Scott made it quite clear that he wanted to move to Hibs.

Scott Allan unveiled as a Hibs player – again.

“It worked for the club. I think looking at it there’s three happy players — that’s football.”

On the departures of both Scott Allan and defender Jack Hendry, McCann added: “I’ve got no ill-feelings towards either of them – I wish them every success in their careers because they’re two great lads and two wonderfully talented players.

“If somebody sees their future elsewhere, I’m not going to stand in their way as long as it works for the club and I believe it did.”